Rating Rationale
April 07, 2020 | Mumbai
Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers
Rating outlook revised to 'Negative', rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.237 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Negative (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its outlook on the long term bank facilities of Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers (WHPJ) to 'Negative' from 'Stable' while reaffirming the rating at 'CRISIL BBB-'.
 
The rating action follows measures taken by various state & central governments towards containment of COVID-19 which includes temporary closure of non-critical establishments, inter-state transportation etc. along-with advisory against travel. These measures are likely to impact the business profile of the WHPJ as overall economic activity sees a temporary shutdown. While the overall volumes in the first nine months of Fiscal 2019 were already lower than previous fiscal, the recent shutdown would result in a sharper decline in volumes over medium term which could lead to subdued debt protection metric for fiscal 2021. While these measures are applicable till April 14, 2020, revocation of the measures will be contingent upon directive from the Central Government and extent of spread of COVID-19. A sustained long period of closures can result in significant deterioration in credit profile of the firm. However, moratorium on bank facilities and deferment of interest on cash credit facility for 3 months, as permitted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), may provide some respite to WHPJ. Nevertheless, a faster reversal to normalcy may contain the extent of deterioration likely in credit quality of the group. That said, the ability of the businesses to revert back to the earlier operational stability and any relief measures given by the lenders towards gold metal loans will be a key monitorable, and CRISIL will continue monitoring these events.
 
The rating continues to reflect the firm's established regional position with a strong brand in the retail jewellery industry and strong financial support from promoters. These rating strengths are partially offset by large working capital requirements, modest financial risk profile and susceptibility to intense competition in retail jewelry industry despite established regional presences and to government regulations persists.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has treated unsecured loans of Rs 64.56 crore as on March 31, 2019, as 75% equity and 25% debt and unsecured loans of Rs. 8.25 crores as on March 31, 2019, as neither debt nor equity (NDNE), as these loans are from the promoters and relatives, subordinated to the bank borrowings, and are expected to remain in the business over the medium term.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Established market position and strong brand:
WHPJ is one of the oldest family-run jewellery businesses in India, with experience of over 100 years. Over the decades, promoter family has built a strong market position, and wide customer base with which it has been associated for generations. The firm currently has 24 stores across Maharashtra, Goa, and Indore.
 
* Strong financial support from promoters:
The firm's liquidity is backed by a healthy current ratio of 1.13 times, moderate bank limit utilization of around 80% for fiscal 2019. Liquidity is also supported by unsecured loans from promoters, which are expected to remain in business over the medium term.  
 
Weakness:
* Large working requirements:
Gross current assets and inventory were 179 days and 172 days, respectively, as on March 31, 2019. Working capital requirements are expected to intensify over the medium term owing to inventory build-up by the firm ahead of Gudi Padwa festival and the recent 21 day lockdown announced by the Government which washed up the expected sales of the firm.
 
* Susceptibility to intense competition in retail jewelry industry despite established regional presences and to government regulations persists:
Despite WHPJ's track record and its association with the Waman Hari Pethe brand, which has been in existence since 1909, the firm faces stiff competition from established players in the industry. Moreover, as WHPJ is expanding its retail footprint in newer territories, it is likely to face competition from established players in the respective local markets. The firm is also exposed to risks associated with changes in Government regulations and policies pertaining to gold imports.
 
* Modest financial risk profile:
Adjusted networth was moderate at Rs. 75.05 crore as on March 31, 2019 with total outside liabilities to net worth was high at 5.79 times. Interest coverage ratio is average at around 1.5 times in fiscal 2019. The financial risk profile is expected to sustain at similar levels over the medium term.
Liquidity Stretched

WHPJ's liquidity position is getting stretched amidst sluggish demand and the recent lockdown resulting in inventory glut. Accordingly, the bank limits are almost fully utilized. The firm does not have any major long term repayment obligation. The liquidity is partially supported by expected cash accruals of more than Rs. 2 crore per annum in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021, cash and cash equivalents of Rs.4.56 crore as on March 31, 2019 along with funding support in the form unsecured loans extended by the promoters and relatives to the tune of Rs. 72.81 crore as on March 31, 2019. This funding support is expected to continue over the medium term.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes WHPJ's business risk profile and in turn liquidity will be under pressure owing to sluggish demand and the recent lockdown announced by the Government of India.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward factors
* Significant improvement in net cash accruals through improved scale of operations and sustenance of operating profitability and better working capital management
* Improvement in capital structure through incremental fund infusion resulting in TOLANW improving to below 2.5 times.

Downward factors
* Decline in scale of operations and operating margins resulting in cash accruals falling below Rs.4 crore
* Stretch in working capital cycle
* Unexpected large capital withdrawals.

About the Company

Set up 1909, by Ganesh Hari Pethe and Waman Hari Pethe as a partnership firm, WHPJ retails jewellery through 24 showrooms: 11 in Mumbai, 11 in other parts of Maharashtra, 1 in Goa, and 1 in Indore.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 965.41 899.01
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore (18.74) 11.44
PAT Margin % (1.94) 1.27
Adjusted debt/Adjusted networth Times 2.77 1.96
Interest coverage Times 1.48 1.72

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue
Size
(Rs.Cr)
Rating Assigned  with Outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 183.10 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Working Capital Demand Loan NA NA NA 3 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 5 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Standby Letter of Credit NA NA NA 18.61 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Proposed Long
Term Bank Loan
Facility
NA NA NA 0.88 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Term Loan NA NA Dec-2020 1.41 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Proposed Cash Credit Limit NA NA NA 25 CRISIL BBB-/Negative
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  218.39  CRISIL BBB-/Negative      05-04-19  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  24-10-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  08-07-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  CRISIL BBB/Negative 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  18.61  CRISIL BBB-/Negative      05-04-19  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  24-10-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  08-07-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  CRISIL BBB/Negative 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 183.1 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Cash Credit 183.1 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Overdraft 5 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Overdraft 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Cash Credit Limit 25 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Proposed Cash Credit Limit 25 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility .88 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility .88 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Standby Letter of Credit 18.61 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Standby Letter of Credit 18.61 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Term Loan 1.41 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Term Loan 1.41 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 3 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Working Capital Demand Loan 3 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 237 -- Total 237 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Criteria for rating trading companies
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Retailing Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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